Chanukah’s first day was Thursday. If, like me, you’re not Jewish, you may wonder about this joyful holiday. This year, we thought that a simple explanation made sense.
Note: According to the Roosevelt Islander, “the Chabad of Roosevelt Island invites you to the Annual Family Public Menorah Lighting for the 3rd Chanukah Light on December 9 at 6:30 PM at the Rivercross Lawn.“
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Chanukah, also spelled Hanukkah, is a Jewish eight-day festival celebrated in the wintertime that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
A quick overview for those new to the holiday:
Meaning:
- The Hebrew word “Chanukah” means “dedication”, referring to the rededication of the Temple.
- It is also known as the “Festival of Lights” because of the tradition of lighting candles in a menorah (a nine-branched candelabrum) each night.
Story:
- The Seleucid Empire, ruled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, conquered Judea and tried to force the Jews to abandon their religion and culture. They desecrated the Second Temple by installing a statue of Zeus and sacrificing pigs on the altar.
- A group of Jewish rebels known as the Maccabees revolted against the Seleucids and recaptured Jerusalem in 164 BCE. They cleansed the Temple and rededicated it to God.
- According to legend, when they went to light the Temple’s menorah, they only found enough pure oil to last one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, which is why Chanukah is celebrated for eight days.
Celebrations:
- Each night of Chanukah, Jews light one additional candle on the menorah.
- Special prayers are recited, and traditional foods like potato latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are eaten.
- Children play with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters, and receive Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins).
Related:
Significance:
- Chanukah celebrates themes of religious freedom, resistance to oppression, and the triumph of good over evil.
- It is a time for families and friends to come together and share in the joy of the holiday.
Here are some additional resources you might find helpful:
- Chabad.org: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/default_cdo/jewish/Hanukkah.htm
- MyJewishLearning.com: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/
- JewFAQ: https://www.jewfaq.org/chanukah
I hope this helps!
You Can FOIL* It
On April 15, at the Steam Plant Demolition Town Hall, a simple exchange revealed something far more consequential than anything formally presented that evening.
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